Table.



P. G. NIHIL.

TABLE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1909.

Patented June 28, 1910.

IINTT PETER, C. NII-IIL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

TABLE.

Application filed September 15, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER C. NIHIL, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tables and more particularly to one adapted for use upon ocean steamers or upon vessels or vehicles where it is necessary that the top of the table occupies at all times the same position, and the object of my invention is to provide a table of this character that can be manufactured at a very small cost and to further provide efficient and novel cushioning means for absorbing any shock incident to the movement of the tables top.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better disclosed and it will be understood that changes within the specific scope of the claims can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views,Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through my improved table. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the cushion receptacles. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the gasket.

The table as shown by me consists preferably of a vertical pedestal or support 1 which is mounted upon legs or the like 2. The pedestal or support is provided with a substantially hemispherical cavity or socket 3 in which is mounted a socket member 4: which is formed of metal or any other substantial material and is open at its upper end and as illustrated the said member is provided with a flange 5 which is seated against the upper end of the pedestal or support.

The table carries a top 6 which may be of any well known design but as herein shown the table carries a depending member 7 to which is secured a hollow substantially spherical head 8. The walls of the head are spaced from the walls of the member 4 so as to form between the head and the member respectively a receptacle for the reception of a liquid cushioning means 9. The cushioning means is preferably oil or glycerin or equivalent substance that will tend to arrest vibratory movements of the head 8. In

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 28, 1910.

Serial No. 517,836.

order to furnish an easy movement of the table top the member 4 is provided at its bottom with movable spherical bearing bodies 10 upon which the head 8 is mounted to move. The hollow head 8 is provided with a suitable balancing weight 11 which is employed for the purpose of holding the top of the table in the same position regardless of any angular movement of the pedestal or support.

A gasket 12 is mounted upon the pedestal at the top thereof and this gasket extends across the space between the member 4: and the head 8 and is frietionally engaged with thesaid head. This gasket is made of rubber or suitable elastic material and is provided for the purpose of preventing the escape of the oil or cushioning liquid during any angular movements of the pedestal or support. The gasket has mounted thereupon a receptacle 13 in which is provided a plurality of rubber cushioning balls or bodies 14. These balls or bodies have their upper portions exposed and are adapted to be engaged by the table top in an angular movement of the pedestal or support. These balls or bodies in practice have been found essential in that they greatly assist in arresting the shock incident to the movement of the pedestal into engagement with the to 6.

Ihe table as herein described and shown is provided with means of a novel and simple character for causing its top to be of a self-leveling character.

I claim 1. A table comprising a pedestal, a socket member carried by the pedestal, a top having a depending spherical head mounted in the said socket member, cushioning means located in the socket member for retarding the movement of the said spherical head, a eounterloalancing weight carried by the spherical head, and elastic bodies disposed between the upper end of the pedestal and the underface of the said top.

52. A table comprising a pedestal having a socket member, a movable top, a substantially spherical head mounted in the socket member and having its walls spaced from the walls of said socket member, a cushioning liquid confined in said socket member and surrounding the walls of the said head, and cushioning bodies interposed between the pedestal and the said top.

3. A table comprising a pedestal, a socket member upon the pedestal, a top, a spherical head carried by the top and mounted in the said socket member, a balancing weight carried by the head, and cushioning means be tween the socketmember and head respectively;

4. A table comprising, a pedestal having a socket member, a top, means upon the top operatively mounted in the socket member,

5. Atable comprising a pedestal having a hemispherical socket member, a top having a substantially spherical head operatively mounted in the socket member, anti-friction bodies between the socket member and head respectively, cushioning liquid between the socket and the said head respectively, a gasket upon the pedestal and yieldingly engaged with the said head and disposed above the level of the cushioning liquid, and cushioning bodies between'the pedestal and the top respectively.

In testimony whereof afliX my signature in presence of'two witnesses.

PETER C. NIHIL;

WVitnesses: I

CHAS; A. NELSON, LAWRENCE L. FLAHERTY. 

